Brit of the Week

Lucy Punch (Dec. 30, 1977) was born in London. She started her career early when she decided to join the National Youth Theatre. After that she tried her hand at college, attending University College London, but dropped out to pursue acting full time. She made her debut in a 1998 episode of "The New Adventures of Robin Hood". Since then she has appeared in "Greenfingers", "Ella Enchanted", "Hot Fuzz", "Dinner for Schmucks", and "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger". Up next for the funny lady: "Bad Teacher" (with Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel), "A Little Bit of Heaven" (with Kate Hudson and Gael Garcia Bernal), and "Take Me Home Tonight" (with Anna Faris and Topher Grace).

Did You Know...

... the characters in "Lost in Translation" are based on writer/director Sofia Coppola's real life. Coppola was once married to director Spike Jonze (the film counterparts are Scarlett Johansson and Giovanni Ribisi) and they spent time in Japan. I find it interesting that Coppola cast Scarlett to play her.

Apparently she had a few run-ins with an obnoxious Cameron Diaz (film counterpart is supposedly Anna Faris), whom Spike had directed in "Being John Malkovich". Coppola has denied that Diaz was the inspiration for Faris' annoying character.

Flick of the Day

Film: MAY

Director: Lucky McKee

Actors: Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris, James Duval, Kevin Gage, Nora Zehetner

Year: 2002

Synopsis: An introverted loner falls in love with a mechanic.

I had the pleasure of seeing this odd film a few years back and it still stands out in my mind. It's original, well cast, and strangely humorous. Angela Bettis stars as May, a girl never equipped with the tools for a normal social life (thanks to her over-bearing mother). I don't want to give anything else away, so just see it.

Skip It

Film: THE HOUSE BUNNY

Director: Fred Wolf

Actors: Anna Faris, Emma Stone, Beverly D'Angelo, Kat Dennings, Colin Hanks, Monet Mazur, Rumer Willis, Katharine McPhee, Christopher McDonald, Hugh Hefner

Year: 2008

Although I love Anna Faris... and Emma Stone is super cute, this movie did not cut it. First off, I'm not sure what Faris is thinking, but the fake boobs and plastic face she's been sporting in the last few years are NOT attractive. Why couldn't she stay the same? She was the fun, cute, pretty, hilarious girl (from "Smiley Face" "Lost in Translation", and "Scary Movie") that we all liked. Secondly, the script is ridiculously dumb. I couldn't find any funny parts and this is a freaking... comedy. I might have giggled at the scene where Faris repeats names in an Exorcist-like voice, but I already saw that in every damn trailer. I am still cringing thinking about the horrible performance by unknown Dana Goodman, who plays awkwardly man-ish Carrie Mae. What was the director thinking? I'd say pull it WAY back, Goodman. Ughhh. On a small positive note, it was the first time we really got to see up-and-comer Rumer Willis (Bruce and Demi's eldest) and she was decent (but what a way to start your career). If you are looking for a funny sorority flick, Netflix "Legally Blonde" or "Pumpkin". Stay away from this hot mess.

Quote of the Day

"People would be all like, Jane, why do you have a photo of President Garfield on your mantel? And I'd be like, because I like lasagna, of course."

Anna Faris as 'Jane', "Smiley Face", 2007